Iranian Minister Advocates for Enhanced Regional Collaboration at ECO Tourism Symposium
Iran’s tourism minister has recently advocated for a revitalized strategy focusing on regional cooperation among the member states of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). This approach underscores the significance of cultural exchange and stronger people-to-people ties as essential components for fostering sustainable tourism development throughout the region.
During the opening of the Regional Tourism Market Symposium, held from May 13 to 15 on Kish Island, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri welcomed representatives including the ECO Secretary General, ambassadors, academics, and tourism officials from the organization’s ten member states. He emphasized the necessity of enhancing connections among the region’s half-billion population through collaborative cultural and tourism initiatives.
“While intergovernmental relations are active, the real engine of integration lies in strengthening bonds among nations through shared cultural and tourism values,” Salehi-Amiri stated.
Salehi-Amiri highlighted the region’s rich shared heritage, which encompasses:
- Handicrafts
- Natural attractions
- Common civilizational roots
He noted that these cultural assets are powerful tools for promoting regional unity. The minister suggested that expanding cultural dialogues among intellectuals would be beneficial and proposed that Iran is prepared to host forums aimed at enhancing mutual understanding among ECO member states.
In an effort to boost tourism flows, Salehi-Amiri pointed out Iran’s recent decision to implement a visa waiver for citizens of 33 countries. He urged ECO member states to contemplate similar measures, emphasizing that the easing of travel restrictions would dramatically enhance tourism exchanges. He called on the ECO Secretariat and relevant authorities to prioritize visa liberalization within the bloc.
Shifting focus to the symposium’s venue, Salehi-Amiri described Kish Island as a promising future hub for regional tourism. He noted the island’s current infrastructure, which includes:
- 57 active hotels
- 52 hotels under construction
He projected that within the next five years, Kish Island would contribute to 10% of Iran’s overall tourism infrastructure.
The ECO is an intergovernmental regional organization that includes countries from Europe, the Caucasus, Central and West Asia, and South Asia. It encompasses over 460 million inhabitants across more than 8 million square kilometers, stretching from Russia to the Persian Gulf and from China to Europe. The primary goal of the ECO is to achieve sustainable economic development for its member states and the region as a whole.
In conclusion, the emphasis on enhancing cultural and tourism collaborations among ECO member states is pivotal for the sustainable development of tourism in the region. Initiatives like the visa waiver and the development of Kish Island as a tourism hub are significant steps toward fostering deeper connections that can lead to mutual benefits for all involved.
